The New Nation - Internet Edition

RU Correspondent

Some class three and class four employees of the Rajshahi University (RU), who have been agitating for sometime for regularization of their jobs, yesterday manhandled RU acting vice chancellor Prof. Mamnunul Keramat in front of the administrative building.

About 200 employees appointed in 2004 in violation of the university rule, held rally and demonstration and brought out procession on the university campus yesterday to press home their demand for making their job permanent. They blocked the entry of the university officials and other employees into the administrative building in the morning.

They also misbehaved with Prof. Keramat when he tried to hold discussion with them on their demand and assaulted him as he tried to enter into the administrative building. RU proctor Dr. Enamul Haque was present on the spot at that time.

The police and the university officials tried in vain to ward off the unpleasant situation.

Later the angry employees held a rally on the campus and urged the chief adviser and the University Grants Commission (UGC) chairman to take necessary steps for confirmation of their jobs.

Speakers at the rally threatened to stop all activities of the university if their demand was not fulfilled by November 15.

They a called upon the university authorities to convene syndicate meeting immediately to confirm their jobs.

They announced that they would continue their sit-in demonstration on the campus until their jobs were regularized..

Among others, Masudur Rahman, Azibul Haque, Aminul Islam, Mizan and Pintu, employees of the university, addressed the rally..

When contacted, VC Prof. Keramat said told reporters that the university authorities have taken the matter seriously. and that the demands of the employees will be dealt according to the university rule..

Earlier, the university authorities appointed 544 class three and class four employees against 255 vacant posts in 2004 in gross violation of the university rules. Jobs of about 300 employees were regularized during tenure of the previous BNP led alliance government .

Later, the High Court stayed the recruitment following a case.